Apparatus for charging coke ovens



Nov. 9, 1965 F. WETHLY 3,216,595

APPARATUS FOR CHARGING COKE OVENS Filed Feb. 18. 1964 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 pg F/ 6. 2 I J =43;

INVENTOR (3 reams 4 57 1 Npv. 9, 1965 F. WETHLY APPARATUS FOR CHARGING COKE OVENS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 18, 1964 INVENTOR. F439; Mir/r0 Nov. 9, 1965 F. WETHLY APPARATUS FOR CHARGING COKE OVENS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 18, 1964 Nov. 9, 1965 F. WETHLY APPARATUS FOR CHARGING 00KB ovmus 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 18, 1964 QQAD QQKM In QvKM' INVENTOR- [34/1/5' WET/VA y @7 07 M AV/v/a/VAJ Nov. 9, 1965 F. WETHLY APPARATUS FOR CHARGING COKE OVENS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 18, 1964 INVENTOR. [EA/V5 W'T/JLY P i u L Sw Qw @mw @MQQ 1955 F. WETHLY APPARATUS FOR CHARGING COKE OVENS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filsd Feb. 18, 1964 United States Patent 3,216,595 APPARATUS FOR CHARGING COKE OVENS Frans Wethly, Manhasset, N.Y., assiguor to Allied Flhemical Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 18, 1964, Ser. No. 345,648 11 Claims. (Cl. 21418) This invention relates to coke oven batteries and more particularly to apparatus for supplying coal to the feed hoppers of a coke oven battery the coking chambers of which are dimensioned to give relatively large coking capacities.

It is conventional practice to effect the charging of the coking chambers of coke oven batteries by means of a larry car moving on rails on the top of the coke oven battery. The larry car has fixed thereon a plurality of hoppers in spaced relationship so that the hoppers can communicate with the charging holes of a coking chamber of the battery over which the larry car is spotted. Positioned at one end of the battery is an overhead coal bunker or series of storage and feed bins for storing collectively relatively large amounts of coal, for example, enough for a days operation of the battery. Such coal storage facility is equipped with rows of discharge chutes; the chutes in each row are spaced apart across the width of the battery 'in accordance with the spacing of the larry car hoppers, which in turn corresponds to that of the charging holes in each coking chamber. The rows of discharge chutes are arranged longitudinally of the battery. The number of rows of such chutes, each individual to a bin depends on the desired coal storage capacity of the overhead bins.

In order to charge the coking chambers of the battery, the larry car is moved along the rails on the roof of the battery and under the overhead storage and feed bins at the end of the latter until the hoppers on the larry car are located directly under a selected row of discharge chutes, whereupon these discharge chutes are opened, a charge of coal is delivered .to the larry car hoppers and the discharge chutes closed. When the larry hoppers are loaded, the larry car is moved along the rails and spotted over the charging holes of a selected coking chamber for discharge of the coal from the hoppers into the coking chamber. The larry car is then returned to the overhead coal bunker or storage bins for a new load received from the same or another row of storage and feed bins and then moved to the next coking chamber to be charged. This action is repeated throughout the operation of the battery.

Modern tendency in the construction of coke oven batteries is to build them with coking chambers considerably higher and longer, thus increasing the capacity of the battery, with consequent savings in labor and operation costs per ton of coke produced. This is also the trend when rebuilding or replacement of existing coke oven bat teries. Frequently when such rebuilding or replacement becomes necessary or desirable, it is only necessary to replace the coking chambers and regenerators, not the overhead coal storage equipment because the latter is subjected to relatively mild conditions and not to the high temperatures and other rigorous conditions encountered by the coking chambers and regenerators in the operation of the battery to produce coke. However, in rebuilding or replacing a coke oven battery of an existing multiple battery installation, to embody modern design of relatively high coking chambers it is necessary to increase the elevation of the roof of the battery. Such modification makes it impossible to employ the existing overhead coal bunker or storage and feed bins, as a practical matter, chiefly because the reduced clearance between the discharge chutes of the overhead coal bunker and the 3,216,595 Patented Nov. 9, 1965 ice new or raised level of the roof of the rebuilt coke oven battery will not accommodate the charging larry. Since the existing overhead coal bunker has a high replacement cost, usually in excess of a million dollars, it is obviously desirable to avoid the necessity of complete scrapping the existing overhead coal bunker upon the rebuilding or replacement of a battery and yet enable suchrebuilding to be eifected to produce a new battery of modern design having relatively higher coking chambers of increased capacity.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide charging apparatus for a coke oven battery, designed or rebuilt to have increased capacity, which charging apparatus utilizes the existing overhead coal bunker, and by means of relatively simple and inexpensive additions thereto, enables the satisfactory charging of the coking chamber to be effected.

It is another object of this invention to provide novel charging apparatus for a coke oven battery which automatically provides for feed of coal to overhead feed hoppers which in turn feeds the coal to the hoppers of the charging larry as needed to effect the charging of each empty coking chamber in desired timed sequence and without delays, i.e., to always have in excess of the charge required for a coking chamber in the overhead feed hoppers ready for deliverance to the charging larry.

In accordance with this invention a row of relatively large feed hoppers, the number of hoppers in the row being equal to the number of charging holes in each coking chamber, are supported above the roof of the coke oven battery, which can be a rebuilt or replaced battery having modern high coking chambers of increased capacity. This row of feed hoppers is conveniently located at one end of the battery in substantially the same relative position to the battery as the heretofore known overhead rows of storage bins. In accordance with this invention only one row of feed hoppers is used and the charging larry receives successive charges of coal from this row of hoppers.

Positioned at a lower level than the row of large feed hoppers are a plurality of rows of storage hoppers, which in the case of a rebuilt battery built on a different founda tion from the worn out battery can be the coal bunker for the Worn battery. These storage hoppers are designed, and when utilizing existing larry coal bunkers, the discharge spouts thereof are modified, so that each row of discharge spouts feeds to a common discharge spout discharging onto a main belt conveyor. Feed of coal onto the main belt conveyor is controlled to give, in operation, feed of coal to the belt conveyor at a rate to maintain an adequate supply of coal in the rows of feed hoppers which supply coal to the larry car hoppers. The belt conveyor discharges into a bucket elevator which in turn discharges the coal to either a branched chute or to a shuttle conveyor which etiects feed to all feed hoppers of the row to supply each with its proportionate share of the charge.

In the charging apparatus embodying this invention, an inclined discharge chute extends from the discharge point of the bucket elevator and discharges into a transfer conveyor which, in turn, discharges into the branched distribution chutes or onto the shuttle conveyor. In this way, the height of the bucket elevator is minimized, with the advantages attendant in such reduction in height, such as saving in cost, and yet the coal is delivered under conditions insuring the flow thereof into the feed hoppers.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of this invention, will be apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiment thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and wherein: I

FIGURE 1 is a schematic top plan View of apparatus embodying this invention for charging the coking chambers of a coke oven battery of increased capacity and Which utilizes the original coal storage bunker shown in broken lines, the latter being modified to enable such use to be efiective;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the charging apparatus of this invention;

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic view of the various controls included in the apparatus of FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 3a is a schematic electrical diagram of one form of electrical control which can be used to control the feed of coal to the feed hoppers on the battery;

FIGURE 3b is a schematic electrical diagram showing the control for starting andstopping the motors driving (a) the belt conveyor receiving coal from the storage bins, (b) the bucket elevator and (c) the transfer belt conveyor;

FIGURE 3c is a schematic electrical diagram of one form of electrical control which can be used to control the feed of coal from the storage bins to the belt conveyor;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 44 on FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged elevational view of a modified form of charging apparatus, embodying this invention, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows 55 on FIGURE 2.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGURES 1 and 2 thereof, indicates diagrammatically a coke oven battery having relatively high coking chambers of increased capacity as compared with the capacity of heretofore conventional coking chambers of the battery replaced by the coke oven battery 10. The roof 11 of the battery 10, it will be noted, is considerably higher than the level of the roof of the replaced or original coke oven battery indicated in broken lines at 11' on FIGURE 2; 11 and 11' indicate relative heights, to wit, that the battery 10 is appreciably higher than the battery replaced thereby. The battery 10 is built on a new foundation, desirably adjacent the foundation of the old battery, as close as feasible to the coal bunker 13 of the replaced battery, when this invention is used, as preferred, in a rebuilt battery employing some or all of the existing rows of storage and feed bins of coal bunker 13 for storing and supplying the coal as needed and as more fully disclosed hereinafter.

As convention, coal bunker 13, comprises a plurality of side by side bins 13a-13n (FIGURES l and 2), each having inclined discharge spouts 14' (FIGURE 4) defined by the inclined walls 14. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing (FIGURE 4) each bin had three discharge spouts, this coal bunker being designed to supply a larry with three hoppers for charging coking chambers each having three charging holes. Of course, the number of discharge spouts can vary and the invention is not limited to the three spout construction disclosed for purposes of exemplification as representing one common type of coal bunker utilized for coke oven batteries the coking chambers of which each have three charging holes suitably spaced along the length of the coking chamher (the width of the battery). The description which follows will be chiefly confined to this illustrative embodiment of the invention, utilizing the existing coal bunker having three discharge spouts in each hopper of the bunker suitably spaced to charge coal into the three hoppers of the charging larry, but it will be appreciated that this invention is not to be limited thereto and includes coke oven battery constructions in which the single row of overhead feed hoppers contains two or four, or more, feed hoppers in those cases where the coking chambers each have, respectively, two, four or more charging holes and the charging larry has a like number of charging hoppers. This invention includes coke oven battery constructions utilizing an existing coal bunker having a number of rows of storage hoppers the discharge spouts of which are modified as herein disclosed, as well as coke oven batteries built to embody the invention where an existing coal bunker installation is not available for utilization to provide the necessary storage capacity to supply the needs of the battery although in most cases the invention should find its major application in the replacement of an existing coke oven battery with a modern battery having coking chambers of increased height and hence increased capacity, utilizing the existing coal bunker modified as noted, because it is in connection with such replacement of existing coke oven batteries that the present invention effects the greatest savings.

In accordance with the embodiment of this invention shown on the drawings, a single row R of three side by side (across the width of the battery) of hoppers 20a, 20b and 20c is supported by a superstructure 21 (FIG- URE 2) above the roof 11 of the coke oven battery 10. This row of feed hoppers can be at any convenient location along the length of the battery, preferably at one end thereof, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 where B indicates the bulkhead at the right hand end of the battery viewing FIGURE 1 or FIGURE 2. This end of the battery is positioned near the left hand end viewing FIGURE 1 or FIGURE 2 of the coal bunker 13, hereinafter more fully described.

Each hopper 20a, 20b and 20c of the row R desirably has a coal capacity approximately equal to 2 to 3 times the charge required for each coking chamber. For example, the total capacity of the row of hoppers may be of the order of 150 to 200 tons of coal. This compares with a capacity of about 3000 tons, approximately a full days supply for a battery of average size. The single row R of feed hoppers can, therefore, be built with a considerable saving as compared with the expense of constructing a coal bunker having side by side hoppers necessary to provide the capacity of about 3000 tons. Such side by side design is, of course, necessary to effect charging of the larry which as it travels back and forth from a charged chamber to the bunker to receive a charge and then to an empty chamber to deliver the charge, receives successive charges from diiferent storage hoppers of the storage bunker.

The feed hoppers 20a, 20b and 20c have sharply downwardly inclined discharge spouts 22a, 22b and 220, respectively, which terminate at a height above the roof of the battery, adequate to permit movement of the charging larry 18 therebeneath. The discharge spouts 22a, 22b and 220 are spaced apart to correspond to the spacing of the hoppers 17a, 17b and 17c on larry 18. Hence, when larry 18 is spotted under the discharge spouts, as shown on FIGURE 5, it is in position to receive a charge of coal from feed hoppers 20a, 20b and 200; the latter delivering the coal charge in approximately equal amounts to the hoppers 17a, 17b and 17c, respectively of the larry.

As shown on FIGURE 5, the discharge spouts 22a, 22b and 220 have flow controlling gates 23a, 23b and 23c, respectively, which are interconnected, as at 24, so as to be opened and closed simultaneously by a conventiona-l pressure fluid actuating mechanism 25 mounted on larry car 18. The actuating mechanism 25 is operated by a control 26 (FIGURE 3), which can be a conventional push button control such as a switch, in the cab 27 (FIGURE 3) of the larry car. Control 26 is in circuit with the control for eifecting movement of car 18 along rails 19 to prevent accidental movement of the larry car from under the hoppers 20a, 20b and 200 while the gates 23a, 23b and 23c are open.

Coal is supplied to the feed hoppers 20a, 20b and 20c as needed, from the coal bunker 13, consisting of side by side, one in back of the other, storage hoppers 13a, 13b, 13c-13,n. It is an important advantage of this invention that it enables use of an existing coal bunker with relatively minor modifications as hereinafter more fully explained thus effecting a major savings in plant investment. Coal bunkers are commonly built with each hopper 13a, 13b, 13c-13n provided with spaced discharge ports 14a, 14b and (FIGURE 4), each leading into a discharge conduit individual thereto which delivers the coal to the respective hoppers of the larry. In accordance with this invention these conduits are eliminated and as shown in FIGURE 4, these ports 14a, 14b and Me of each hopper 13a, 13b, 13cl3rz lead into chutes or discharge passages 28a, 28b, 28:: leading into a common discharge pipe 29. In FIGURE 4 the common discharge pipe is shown as relatively short. FIGURE 3 shows an alternative arrangement involving a coal bunker construction in which the base of each hopper 13a, 13b, 13c13n has a relatively longer single discharge pipe leading from the inclined sides 14 defining the base of each storage hopper. In the FIGURE 3 construction of the storage hoppers the base of each hopper is defined by inclined sides which terminate in a single discharger port 14d forming the inlet end of the discharge pipe. The discharge pipes 29 of the respective storage hoppers, one in back of the other, are positioned in longitudinal alignment; the aligned discharge pipes are indicated by the reference characters 29a, 29b, 29c29n in FIGURE 3.

The discharge pipes 29 each have therein a valve gate individual thereto for controlling the discharge of coal therefrom; thus discharge pipes 29a29n of FIGURE 3 have therein valves 3011-3011, respectively, actuated by suitably controlled hydraulic cylinders 3la-3ln, respectively.

When a selected one of the valves Calla-33 n is opened, coal is discharged from the related storage hopper onto the upper run of a main belt conveyor 32 running under the discharge end of the discharge pipes and driven by a motor 33 (FIGURE 3) in the direction toward the battery 10. Conveyor 32 can be a conventional belt conveyor, trough shaped, in section, as shown in FIG- URE 4. The pressure fluid cylinders 310-3112 actuating the valves 30a30n, respectively, are operated in a predetermined sequence by a suitable automatic control, hereinafter described in detail. Thus, during operation of the main belt conveyor 32, coal is discharged thereon from successive overhead storage hoppers 1304311. The valves Mia-3911 are opened in sequence; when the level of coal in one storage hopper falls below a predetermined level, the valve in that hopper remains closed and the valve in another storage hopper opened and this action continues until coal has been discharged from all of the hoppers, by which time the hoppers have been refilled. The storage capacity of the coal bunker constituted of the storage hoppers 13a-13n can be enough for a full day or more operation of the battery, say 3000 to 5000 tons, more or less. Desirably, the upper ends of the storage hoppers 1351-13 communicate with a common plenum chamber 13p into which the coal is charged and from which the coal gravitates into the respective storage hoppers 13a-13n.

At the discharge end of the main belt conveyor 32, i.e., the end closest to the battery 19, coal is discharged through a chute 34 to the boot of a bucket elevator 35 (FIGURES 2 and 3), of any desired conventional type.

The bucket elevator 35, shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, includes a belt 36 having thereon a series of welded steel buckets 37. The belt 36 travels around vertically spaced apart lower and upper pulleys 3S and 39; the latter is driven from an electric motor 40. The bucket elevator 35 is disposed within a vertical housing 41 having an opening at its lower end for admitting coal from the chute 34, so that such coal is discharged into and carried up- Wardly by the buckets 37 and discharged, at the top of housing 41 through a downwardly inclined chute 42 extending toward the top of the feed hoppers 29a, b and 200.

The coal discharged through chute 42 is transported toward the median or near the median of the row of feed hopper 20a, 20b and 20c by a transfer belt conveyor 43 driven by a motor 44. Conveyor 43 discharges at a location above the median, in a direction at right angles, to the 6 row of hoppers, of the middle feed hopper 2011, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 3.

In order to effect even distribution among the hoppers 23a, 20b and 200, of coal discharged from transfer belt conveyor 43, in the modification of FIGURES l, 2 and 3, branched distribution chutes 45a, 45b and 450 extend from a common receiver 46' located under the discharge end of conveyor 43. Chutes 45a, 45b and 45c open into the upper ends of hoppers 20a, 20b and 200, respectively. Flapper gates or other suitable valve means 47a, 47b and 47c (FIGURE 3) in chutes 45a,- 45b and 45c, respectively, are opened and closed by fluid pressure actuating mechanisms 48a, 48b and 480, respectively. These gates control the passage of coal from the common receiver 46 into the respective hoppers 20a, 20b and 200, and are actuated, as hereinafter described to give substantially uniform feed of coal to each feed hopper, and also to provide for the feed of coal to any hopper of the row, as long as the level of coal therein is below a predetermined minimum level.

A control system, illustrated on FIGURES 3, 3a, 3b and 3c, is provided for automatically controlling the operation of the motors 33, 40 and 44 of the conveyor 32, elevator 35 and conveyor 43, respectively, and also the operation of the pressure fluid actuating mechanism 31a31n, and 48a, 48b and 480, so as to maintain adequate supplies of coal in hoppers 20a, 20b and 20c. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, such control system includes a motor-driven pump 49 pumping pressure fluid from a supply tank 50 through a supply line or manifold 51 having branches, flow through which is controlled by solenoid operated valves 52a, 52b and 520, respectively. Branches of a return line or manifold 53 extend from the solenoid operated valves for returning pressure fluid from the latter to the tank 50. Conduits extend from valves 52a, 52b and 520 to the pressure fluid actuating cylinders 48a, 48b and 480, respectively, through which pressure fluid is supplied to and exhausted from the respective pressure fluid actuating cylinders 48a, 43b and 480. Thus, the flapper gates 47a, 47b and 47c are opened and closed individually in response to energization and deenergization of the solenoids of the respective valves 52a, 52b and 520. Energization of the solenoids of valves 52a, 52b and 52c is controlled by a sequence timer of known type, so that flapper gates 47a, 47b and 470 are normally opened, in sequence, for equal periods of time to feed equal quantities of coal into the communicating feed hoppers ZGa, 20b and 20c, as will be pointed out more fully hereinafter in connection with the description of FIGURE 3a. Receiver 46 is of suflicient capacity to hold the coal fed thereto while one or two of the three gates are closed because the level of coal in the communicating hopper is above the desired maximum level.

Level sensing devices 56a, 56b and 560 are located in the lower portions of feed hoppers 20a, 20b and 20c, respectively, and are operative, when the coal in these feed hoppers falls below a predetermined minimum level, to override the control of the sequence timer and keep the appropriate gate 47a, 4711 or 470 in its open posit-ion until the coal again reaches above the predetermined minimum level in the hopper. Since each feed hopper 20a, 20b and 20c has a coal capacity several, at least about 5, times the amount of coal supplied to each hopper on the charging larry, and each of the level sensing devices 55a, 56b and 560 is positioned at a level in its hopper at which at least enough coal remains therein at all times to supply the communicating larry hopper, the control mechanism described insures the presence of enough coal in a row of feed hoppers to supply the desired charge of coal to the larry hoppers whenever the charging larry is spotted under the feed hoppers to receive a charge of coal.

Under level sensing devices 57a, 57b and 570 are provided in the feed hoppers 20a, 20b and 200, respectively,

near the top of the latter. The upper level sensing devices 57a, 57b and 57c are connected with the sequence timer so that when the level of coal in the hoppers is between a maximum predetermined level, determined by the po sition of the upper level sensing devices in the feed hoppers, and the previously mentioned minimum level, the timer 54 causes the normal sequential opening of the valves 47a, 47b and 470 for equal time periods followed by the closing of each valve at the end of thi time period. When the level of coal in any of the hoppers 20a, 20b and 200 reaches the predetermined maximum level to actuate the upper level sensing device therein, the latter prevents opening of the gate controlling feed to that hopper thus interrupting the feed of coal to that feed hopper.

It will be appreciated that the circuit diagrams in FIG- URES 3a, 3b and 3c represent one type of control, that other controls can be used and hence this invention is not limited to the circuits illustrated in the drawings. In the structure illustrated, the lower sensing devices 56a, 56b .and 56c and the upper level sensing devices 57a, 57b and 57c are each a known type of capacitance probe, such for example as the probes manufactured and sold by Robert- Shaw-Fulton Controls Company of Philadelphia, Pa. These probes are sensitive to the atmosphere in which they are disposed; they have one electrical capacity when im 'mersed in coal and a different electrical capacity when in air, i.e., when the level of coal has fallen to expose the probe. This difference in capacity is used .to provide an electrical impulse which, through a relay, is employed to operate a switch controlling the flow of current to a solenoid valve or other control equipment. As such probes are well known to electrical engineers, further disclosure thereof is believed to :be unnecessary, particularly since the control used need not employ such probes but can use other known sensing devices such as ultrasonic sensing devices.

The circuits illustrated in FIGURES 3a, 3b and 3c utilize relay control circuits. In the following description the relays are designated by a capital R and a call-out numeral or lower case letter adjacent thereto. The relay armatures or moveable contacts are indicated by the corresponding relay designation followed by a numeral within parentheses. Thus, relay contacts R1(1), R1(2), etc. are operated in response to actuation of relay R1. The circuits are illustrated in their condition prior to actuation of any of the probes, gates, valves, etc., and, for purposes of explanation, with all of the existing hoppers 20 and storage bins 13 full, and the entire conveyor system at rest.

FIGURE 3a illustrates the control circuit for distributing coal from the transfer conveyor 43 to the three hoppers 20a, 20b and 200 controlled by the respective flapper gates 47a, 47b and 470. Upper probes 57a, 57b and 570 operate normally open double pole contacts when the coal level in the respective hoppers falls below the probes. The lower probes 56 operate three contacts, two of which are normally closed. The probe contacts are designated in the same manner as noted above for the relays, viz., when the coal falls below probe 56a, contact 56w(1) closes and contacts 560(2) and 56;:(3) open.

The circuit includes a start relay R responsive to closure of one or more of upper probe contacts 57a(1), 57b(1) or 570(1). The contacts of relay R0 operate a control relay R1, energize a timing motor TM1, and enable energization of the flapper valve control solenoids 52a, 52b and 520 by an applied voltage. The function of relay R1, as explained hereinafter with reference to FIGURES 3b and 3c, is to control the conveyor operation and that of the storage bin discharge gates. The energization of solenoids 52a, 52b and 520 is responsive to the cyclical energization of timing relays R2, R3 and R4 by a sequence timer comprising timing switch contacts 54a, 54b and 540 which are operated by a timing motor TM1.

The operation of the timing motor and its associated contacts is conventional. For example, the output shaft of the motor may include a plurality of cams, shaped and positioned to'close timing switches 54a, 54b and 54c for a period of time during each revolution of the motor output shaft as indicated by the cross-hatched area adjacent the respective switch. A fourth timing switch 54d maintains a voltage across timing motor TM1 to ensure completion of a timing cycle regardless of the coal level in the hoppers.

The operation of the circuit is as follows. As soon as suflicient coal has been discharged from the hoppers 20 to uncover one or more of probes 57a, 57b or 570 the respective switches 57w(l), 5717(1) or 570(2) close to actuate start relay R0. Contact R0(1) energizes relay R1 (to start the conveyors and open the selected bin discharge gate) and starts timing motor TM1. Simultaneously, contact R0(2) couples one side of solenoids 52a, 52b and 520 to supply bus M1 which has therein a manually actuated switch S2 controlling flow of current to all of the circuits shown on FIGURES 3a, 3b and 30.

If the coal level in all three hoppers has dropped below their respective probes 57a, 57b and 570, probe switches 57a(2), 57b(2) and 570(2) close, whereby the operation of timer switches 54a, 54b and 54c cyclically energizes relays R2, R3 and R4, respectively, in each case through two series connected normally closed lower probe contacts associated with the two other relays. These relays, in turn, cyclically operate flapper valve control solenoids 52a, 52b and 520 via cont-acts R2(1), R3(1) and R4(1), respectively. Hence flapper gates 47a, 47b and 47c are sequentially controlled to feed coal to the successive hoppers 20a, 20b and 200, in the sequence named.

When the coal level in one hopper, e.g., hopper 20a, is above its probe 57a, switch 57w(2) does not close, and therefore relay R2 is not energized when timer motor TM1 closes switch 5401. Accordingly, contact R2 (1) remains open throughout the cycle and control solenoid 52a is not energized. The net result is to inhibit the normal feed cycle of hopper 20a. The process is the same if the coal level in two of the hoppers is above their respective probes 57a, 57b and 57c. Contact 54d ensures that timing motor TM1 will continue through the cycle even if all of the upper probe contacts open during a cycle.

When the coal level in one or more of the hoppers drops below the lower probes 56a, 56b or 560, an override circuit cuts off the cyclical operation above described and causes the feed of coal only to such hoppers. Each of relays R2, R3 and R4 (controlling the actuation of the flapper gates 47a, 47b and 47c, respectively) is coupled to the supply lines through a series connection including two lower probe contacts of the other two relays and the respective timing switch 54a, 54b or 540, e.g. relay R2 (hopper 20a) is coupled to the supply lines through normally closed probe contacts 56b(2) and 560(2) and timing switch 54a. The normally open lower probe contact of that hopper (contact 5612(1) in this example) is connected across such series connection. Thus when the coal level in one of bins 13 falls below its respective lower probe 56a, 56b or 56c, as the case may be, that probe closes its normally open contact to override the entire timing mechanism. At the same time the corresponding normally closed lower probe contacts open and remove the remaining timing relays from the circuit. Hence, if the coal level of hopper 20a drops below probe 56a, contact 5601(1) holds relay R2 energlzed, in turn holding flapper gate 47a open through solenoid 52a. At the same time, contacts 56a(2) and 5611(3) open to prevent operation of timing relays R3 and R4, respectively, consequently inhibiting flapper valve solenoids 52b and 530. If the coal level drops below the lower probe in more than one hopper the flapper gates of all such hoppers are simultaneously held open in the above manner until the coal rises above the lower probes.

An exemplary timing cycle, to which, however, the invention is not limited, is about 6 minutes for a complete cycle of timing motor TM1.

The circuit for controlling the conveyor operation is shown in FIGURE 3b. This circuit successively starts belt conveyor 32, elevator 35 and transfer conveyor 44, and in shutting down, stops them in the opposite order. This circuit includes a timing motor TM2 which operates five timing switches 58(1) to 58(5) in the same manner as the timer of FIGURE 3a, the cross-hatched area adjacent each switch representing the interval of the cycle during which the switch is closed. Motors 33, 40 and 44 operate the belt conveyor, bucket elevator and transfer conveyor, respectively.

In operation, relay R1 (see FIGURE 3a) is operated when the level of one or more of the hoppers 20a, 20b and 20c falls below its respective upper probe 57a, 571) or 570. Contact R1(1) closes and energizes relay R5. Timing motor TM2 is then connected across the supply terminals through normally closed timer switch 58(1) and relay contact R5(1), and the operation of the conveyor system commences thereafter. After a short interval, contact 58(3) closes and starts transfer conveyor motor 44. Subsequently, and in succession, switches 58(4) and 58(5) close to operate the bucket elevator motor 40 and belt conveyor motor 33, respectively. Switches 44(1) and 40(1) are conventional switches which close when motors 44 and 40, respectively, are operating. Switch 44(1) is connected in series with bucket elevator motor 40, so that unless the transfer motor 44 has started to run, switch 44(1) will remain open and prevent operation of the bucket motor 40. Hence it is impossible for the elevator to start until after the transfer conveyor has been started. Similarly, switch 40(1) is connected in series with belt conveyor motor 33 so that operation of the belt conveyor is likewise inhibited unless the bucket elevator is operating.

Switch 58(2) closes at about the same time as switch 58(5) but does not effect operation since contact R5(2) is open. Shortly thereafter switch 58(1) opens to remove the voltage across timing motor TM2, and the circuit remains in this condition with all three motors 33, 40 and 4 in operation.

The motors are shut off in the reverse order when the coal level in all three hoppers is above the respective upper probes 57a, 57b and 570. At that time, referring again to FIGURE 3a, start relay R is released and contact Ri)(1) releases relay R1. Consequently, contact R1(1) (FIGURE 3b) releases relay R5, opening contact R(1) and closing contact R5(2). Closure of R5(2) reenergizes motor TM2 through now closed contact 58(2) and the interrupted cycle continues. As illustrated by the timing chart, switches 58(5), 58(4) and 58(3) are then successively opened to shut otl the belt conveyor motor 33, bucket elevator motor 40, and transfer conveyor motor 55, in that order. At the end of the cycle, switch 58(2) opens and 58(1) closes, but unless the level of one or more of the hoppers has been lowered below the level of the u per probe, relay R5 remains released and no further activity occurs.

The control further includes a motor-driven pump 59 pumping pressure fluid from a supply tank 60 through a supply or pressure line or manifold 61 having branches containing solenoid operated valves 62a-62n which branches supply pressure fluid to actuating cylinders 31a 3111, respectively. Branches of a return line or manifold 63 extend from the solenoid operated valves 62a62n for returning pressure fluid to the tank 60. Thus, the gates 30a-30n are opened and closed individually in response to energization and deenergization of the solenoids of the respective valves 62a-62n. Energization of the solenoids of Valves 62a62n is controlled by a sequence timer so that gates 30a-30n are opened in sequence for equal periods of time. The gates 3061-3011 are opened only when the conveyor 32 is being driven by its motor 33 as explained hereinbelow.

Level sensing devices 66a66n are provided near the base of the storage hoppers 13a13n and are connected to the sequence timer. When the level of coal in a storage hopper 13a-13n falls below the level of the level sensing device 66a-66n in said storage hopper during the discharge from that storage hopper onto the conveyor 32, the sensing devices causes the sequence timer to effect immediate opening of the next gate 30a-30n, and closing of the valve gate in the nearly empty hopper, thus insuring the continued supplying of coal to the conveyor 32 so long as the latter is operated.

The circuit for controlling discharge gates 30a-30n is shown in FIGURE 3c. The purpose of the circuit is to cyclically open discharge gates 30:1-3011 in succession and for equal periods of time. The circuit also disconnects a bin if the coal therein falls below a predetermined level and eifects the feed from the next successive bin to the belt conveyor. If the circuit switches to a bin with an insutlicient supply, it bypasses that bin in favor of the next successive bin with an adequate supply. The sequence timer includes a timing motor TM3 and cam operated switches 65(1) and 65(2) operated in accordance with their adjacent timing charts in the manner above described with refernce to the timers of FIGURES 3a and 3b. A pair of control relays R6 and R7 are operatively interconnected with a conventional time delay relay RD8 which opens and closes its contacts RD8(1) and RD8'(2), respectively, one second after the relay is energized. The function of relays R6, R7 and RD8 is to initiate switching between the bin discharge gates when the bin being discharged (or selected) is empty as explained hereinbelow. The delay is necessary to inhibit these relays during the mechanical switching intervals of the circuit.

A plurality of relays Ra-Rn are connected between one side of the supply M1 and normally open probe switches 66a(1)-66n(1), respectively, to the terminals of a rotary switch which is stepped under the control of a rotary step solenoid 82. The switch may comprise a conventional ratchet mechanism which is stepped each time the solenoid is deenergized. Energizing the solenoid resets the switch. The armature of switch 80 is coupled through contact R1(3) and timing switch 65(2) to the other side of the supply M2. Normally open contacts Ra(1)-Rn(1) are connected in parallel across normally open delay relay contact RD8(2) Each of contacts Ra'(2)-Rn(2) is series connected between one side of the supply and respective discharge gate valve control solenoids 62a-62n to open discharge gates 3011-3012.

Operation of this circuit is also responsive to energization of relay R1 (FIGURE 3a) by a drop in the coal level in one or more of hoppers 20a, 20b, 20c. At that point contact R1 (2') connects timing motor TM3 across the supply terminals, and contact R1(3) couples timing switch 65(2) to the remainder of the control circuit. Timing switch 65(1) holds the voltage across motor TM3 to insure the complettion of a full cycle of the timer.

One side M1 of the supply is coupled through closed timing switch 65(2), relay contact R1(3) and closed delay contact RD8(1) to thecoil of rotary step solenoid 82. At the same time, delay relay RD8 is energized through normally closed relay contact R7(1), switch 65(2) and contact R1(3), but there is a one second delay prior to operation of its contacts, and when the bin 13 selected for discharge is not empty, relay RD8 will be deenergized within the one second interval, and contacts RD8( 1) and RD8(2) will remain in their illustrated position. For example, when the armature of rotary switch 80 is at its 0 contact, relay Rc (corresponding to bin is operated it its probe contact 660(1) is closed, due to the presence of coal above the minimum level in bin 13c. Relay Rc therefore holds the voltage supply across relay R6 via contact Rc(1) and at the same time operates the discharge gate control solenoid 62c through contact Rc(2). The latter operation initiates discharge of the bin 13c. Relay R6 operates relay R7 through contact R6 (1), the opening of R7(1) preventing the application of an operating voltage to delay relay RD8. Consequently, contact RD8(2) 1 1 remains open and contact RD8(1) closed to reset solenoid 82 through contact R1(3) and timing switch 65 (2). The circuit remains in this condition (with bin 13c being emptied) until the timing motor opens switch 65(2) or the supply of coal in the storage bin being supplied has fallen below the minimum level.

When timing motor TM3 reaches the end of its cycle, switch 65 (2) opens to deenergize solenoid 82 which causes the armature of switch 80 to step to its d contact to commerce unloading bin 13d in the manner described, whereby the bin discharge gates are kept open for equal periods of time.

If the level of coal in bin 13c falls below probe 660, indicating that the bin is empty, the circuit operates in the following manner to transfer the feed to the next bin (bin 13d). Probe contact 66c(1) opens to release relay Re, and contact Rc( 1) opens to release relay R6. Contact R6 (1) opens to release relay R7, and when contact R7(1) returns to its normally closed position, relay relay RD8 is again energized. In this case, however, it is not immediately deenergized, and after one second, contact RD8(1) opens to deenergize solenoid 82 which steps the armature of rotary switch 80 to its d contact. Relay Rd is then operated and the process above described repeats at bin 13d, continuing through bin 1311, etc.

Similarly, if the armature of switch 80 moves to cause opening of a discharge gate of an empty bin, that bin is skipped and feed from the next full bin instead is commenced onto the belt conveyor. For example, if the coal level of bin 13d is below probe 66d when the armature of rotary switch 80 is stepped to contact d, probe contact 66d (1) remains open and relay Rd is not operated. Therefore contact Rd (1) does not hold relay R6 and consequently relay R7 is released, contact R7 (1) closes and the delay relay RD8 is energized for more than one second, causing contact RD8(1) to open and deenergize solenoid 82, thus stepping the rotary switch to contact e. If bin 13e is also empty, the process continues until the closed probe contacts of a selected bin energize its respective relay Ra-Rn to hold relay R6 and permit feed of coal to occur.

If relay R1 is not enrgized (indicating that all of hoppers 20a, 20b and 20c are full), open contacts R1(2) and/or -R1(3) inhibit the entire operation of the circuit. If this occurs during the cycle, switch 65(1) holds timing motor TM3 so that the cycle is resumed at a later point when at least one of the hoppers 20a, 20b or 200 has' a level of coal therein below the level of the upper probe.

Timing motor TM3 can be designed to keep each discharge gate 30a-30n, upon actuation thereof, open for about three minutes; this three minute value, of course, is given for illustrative purposes only. The selected cycle can vary from installation to installation.

In the modification of FIGURE 5, the distribution chutes 45a, 45b and 450 of FIGURE 3 for efiecting even distribution among the hoppers 20a, 20b and 200 of the coal discharged from transfer conveyor 43, is replaced by a shuttle conveyor 67 mounted on rails 68 extending transversely across the tops of the hoppers 20a, 20b and 200. The shuttle conveyor 67 includes a conveyor belt 69 running around pulleys 70 carried by a frame 71 which is, in turn, supported by flanged wheels 72 travelling on the rails 68. The drive for the belt 69 is operatively connected with the drive for the wheels 72 so that the upper run of belt 69 moves in the direction opposed to the direction of movement of the frame 71 along rails 68. Further, the distance between the centers of pulleys 70 is such that, when the shuttle conveyor 67 is at the limit of its travel, either toward the right as shown in full lines on FIGURE 5, or toward the left, coal will fall directly from the transfer conveyor 43 into the central hopper 20b.

It will be apparent that, as shuttle conveyor 67 is moved toward the left from the position shown in full lines on FIGURE 5, the upper run of conveyor belt 69 receives coal from transfer conveyor 43 and, by reason of the travel of the upper run of belt 69 toward the right, discharges such coal into the right hand hopper 200, as indicated by the arrows 73 on FIGURE 5. When shuttle conveyor 67 has reached the limit of its travel toward the left, as viewed on FIGURE 5, coal will be discharged directly from transfer conveyor 43 into the central hopper 20b. As shuttle conveyor 67 is returned toward the right, as viewed on FIGURE 5, the upper run of conveyor belt 69 moves toward the left so that coal received by the upper run from transfer conveyor 43 is discharged into the left hand hopper 20a, as indicated by the arrows 74. The movements of shuttle conveyor 67 along rails 68 are automatically controlled by sequence timer 54 during the operation of the main belt conveyor 32, elevator '35 and transfer belt conveyor 43 so that the coal, transferred from the coal storage hoppers 13, is uniformly distributed among the feed hoppers 20a, 20b and 20c.

The coal raised by the belt-bucket elevator 35 from the main belt conveyor 32 to a level above the top of the hoppers 20a, 20b and 200 can be discharged directly from elevator 35 through chute 42 into the inlet 46 of distribution chutes 45a, 45b and 46c or onto the shuttle conveyor 67. Preferably, however, the transfer belt conveyor 43 is interposed between discharge chute 42 and the distribution chutes or the shuttle conveyor, as shown. This construction minimizes the height to which the coal or coking mixture must be raised by the elevator 35 and still obtain good gravity flow through the chute leading from the discharge end of the bucket elevator. To provide the necessary inclination from the discharge end of the bucket elevator to the receiving chute 46 or the intermediate feed hopper 20b, to give trouble-free feed of the coal, without employing the transfer conveyor 43, necessitates an elevating conveyor of considerably greater height requiring a more massive supporting structure.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments, and that various changes and modifications can be made therein by one skilled in the art, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Hence this invention is not to be limited to this description or showing of the drawings, except as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a coke oven battery in combination,

(a) a row of feed hoppers positioned above the roof of the battery with the row extending across the width of the battery and the feed hoppers arranged to supply coal to the hoppers of the charging larry travelling on the roof of the battery, the number of said feed hoppers in said row being equal to the number of hoppers in said larry with the respective hoppers of the row individual to the respective hoppers of the larry for feeding coal thereto when the larry is positioned beneath the said row of feed hoppers; and

(b) means for supplying coal to said feed hoppers,

said means comprising:

(1) a plurality of rows of storage hoppers arranged in side by side relation, each storage hopper having at the lower portion thereof a plurality of discharge ports and a discharge conduit individual thereto, into which the plurality of discharge ports of the hopper discharges;

(2) a main conveyor positioned to receive coal discharged from the discharge conduits;

(3) means for controlling the feed of coal from said discharge conduits so that the coal is discharged successively through the respective discharge conduits of said storage hoppers onto said main conveyor;

(4) elevating conveyor means positioned at the discharge end of said main conveyor and arranged to receive the coal discharged by said main conveyor and elevate said coal to a level above the tops of said row of feed hoppers above the roof of the battery; and

() means at the discharge end of said elevating conveyor means for distributing the coal discharged from said elevating conveyor means in substantially uniform amounts to each of said feed hoppers.

2. In a coke oven battery as defined in claim 1, in which the means at the discharge end of said elevating conveyor means comprises a transport conveyor and a shuttle conveyor positioned above the said row of feed hoppers movable back and forth over said row of feed hoppers and arranged to receive coal discharged by said transport conveyor and distribute the coal substantially uniformly to the feed hoppers.

3. In a coke oven battery as defined in claim 1, in which the said means at the discharge end of the elevating conveyor means comprises a transport conveyor, a. chute positioned to receive coal from the discharge end of said transport conveyor, said chute having a plurality of discharge spouts, one individual to and communicating with each of the feed hoppers of said row and valve means in said chutes for controlling the discharge of coal therefrom into said feed hoppers.

4. In a coke oven battery as defined in claim 3 having means for actuating said valve means responsive to the level of coal in the feed hoppers.

5. In a coke oven battery as defined in claim 1, in combination, control means for interrupting the operation of said main conveyor, said elevating conveyor means and the means for distributing coal from the elevating conveyor to the feed hoppers when the level of coal in all of the feed hoppers is above a predetermined maximum level.

6. In a coke oven battery as defined in claim 1, in which the main conveyor is motor driven, the elevating conveyor means is motor driven, the means at the discharge end of the elevating conveyor means comprises a motor driven transfer conveyor and control means for interrupting the operation of the motor driving the transfer conveyor, the motor driving the elevating conveyor means and the motor driving the main conveyor, in the order mentioned, when the level of coal in all of the feed hoppers is above a predetermined level.

7. In a coke oven battery as defined in claim 1, in which the main conveyor is motor driven, the elevating conveyor means is motor driven, the means at the discharge end of the elevating conveyor means comprises a motor driven transfer conveyor and control means for interrupting the operation of the motor driving the transfer conveyor, the motor driving the elevating conveyor means and the motor driving the main conveyor, in the order mentioned, when the level of coal in all of the feed hoppers is above a predetermined level, said control means etfecting actuation of the motor driving the main conveyor, the motor driving the elevating conveyor means and the motor driving the transfer conveyor, in the order mentioned, when the level of coal in at least one of said hoppers is below the aforesaid predetermined maximum level.

8. In a coke oven battery, in combination,

(1) a single row of feed hoppers positioned above the roof of the battery with the individual hoppers of the row placed side by side in a direction extending across the width of the battery, said hoppers being positioned to supply coal to the hoppers of a charging larry travelling on the roof of the battery, the number of said feed hoppers in said row being equal to the number of hoppers in said larry with the respective hoppers of the row individual to the respective hoppers of the larry;

(2) means in the lower portion of each hopper for controlling the discharge of coal therefrom into the hopper of the larry when the larry is positioned beneath the said row of feed hoppers;

(3) a plurality of rows of storage hoppers arranged in side by side relation, each storage hopper having at the lower portion thereof a single discharge conduit;

( 4) valve means in each discharge conduit for controlling the fiow of coal from said discharge conduit;

(5) a main conveyor arranged to receive the coal discharged from said discharge conduits;

(6) elevating conveyor means positioned at the discharge end of said main conveyor and arranged to receive the coal discharged by said main conveyor and elevate said coal to a level above the tops of said row of feed hoppers above the roof of the battery;

(7) means at the discharge end of said elevating conveyor means for feeding the coal discharged from said elevating conveyor means to said feed hoppers; and

(8) control means for controlling the means for feeding the coal from the elevating conveyor means to said feed hoppers effective:

(a) to maintain the feed of coal to the feed hoppers of the row while the coal level in all of the hoppers of the row, remains between predetermined maximum and minimum levels;

(b') to continue the feed of coal to the feed hoppers whenever the coal in a feed hopper of said row falls below a predetermined minimum level until the level of coal in said hopper rises above said minimum level;

(c) to interrupt, when the coal level in all of the feed hoppers in said row reaches a predetermined maximum level, the operation of (i) said valve means in the discharge conduit for controlling the flow of coal from said discharge conduit; (ii) said main conveyor; (iii) said elevating conveyor; (iiii') the means for feeding coal from the discharge end of said elevating conveyor means to said feed hoppers; and

(d') to initiate, when the coal in a feed hopper of said row falls below the aforesaid minimum level, the operation of (i) said valve means in the discharge conduit for controlling the flow of coal from said discharge conduit; (ii) said main conveyor; (iii) said elevating conveyor; and (iiii) the means for feeding coal from the discharge end of said elevating conveyor means to said feed hoppers.

9. In a-coke oven battery as defined in claim 8, in which said control means, when the coal level in all of the feed hoppers in said row reached a predetermined maximum level, effects the interruption of the operation of (i) the main conveyor; (ii) the elevating conveyor; and (iii) the means at the discharge end of said elevating conveyor means for feeding the coal discharged from said elevating conveyor means to said feed hoppers, in sequence in the the order stated, and effects the initiation of the operation of (i) the means at the discharge end of said elevating conveyor means for feeding the coal discharged from said elevating conveyor means to said feed hoppers; (ii) the elevating conveyor; and (iii) the main conveyor in sequence in the order stated.

10. In a coke oven battery, in combination,

(1) a single row of feed hoppers positioned above the roof of the battery with the individual hoppers of the row placed side by side in a direction extending across the width of the battery, said hoppers being positioned to supply coal to the hoppers of a charging larry travelling on the roof of the battery, the number of said feed hoppers in said row being equal to the number of hoppers in the larry with the respective hoppers of the row individual to the respective hoppers of the larry;

(2) means in the lower portion of each'hopper for controlling the discharge of coal therefrom into the hopper of the larry when the larry is positioned beneath the said row of feed hoppers;

(3) a plurality of rows of storage hoppers arranged in side by side relation, each storage hopper having at the lower portion thereof a plurality of discharge ports and a single discharge conduit into which the said plurality of discharge ports discharges;

(4) valve means in each discharge conduit for controlling the flow of coal from said discharge conduit;

(5) a main conveyor arranged to receive the coal discharged from said discharge conduits;

(6) control means for closing the valve means in the storage hopper when the level of coal therein falls below a predetermined level and opening the valve means in the discharge conduit of another storage hopper in which the level of coal is above a prede termined level;

(7) elevating conveyor means positioned at the discharge end of said main conveyor and arranged to receive the coal discharged by said main conveyor and elevate said coal to a level above the tops of said row of feed hoppers above the roof of the battery;

(8) means at the discharge end of said elevating conveyor means for feeding the coal discharged from said elevating conveyor means to said feed hoppers; and

(9) control for controlling the means for feeding the coal from the elevating conveyor means to said feed hoppers, said last mentioned control means and said first mentioned control means collectively being effective:

(a) to maintain the feed of coal to the feed hoppers of the row while the coal level in all of the hoppers of the row remains between'predetermined maximum and minimum levels;

(b) to continue the feed of coal to the feed hoppers whenever the coal in a feed hopper of said row falls below a predetermined minimum level until the level of coal in said hopper rises above said minimum level;

(c) to interrupt, when the coal level in all of the feed hoppers in said row reaches a predetermined maximum level, the operation of (i) the means for feeding coal from the discharge end of said elevating'conveyor means to said feed hoppers, in the order stated; (ii) said elevating conveyor; (iii) said main conveyor; (iiii) said valve means in the discharge conduit for controlling the flow of coal from said discharge conduit; and

(d) to initiate, when the coal in a feed hopper of said row falls below the aforesaid minimum level, the operation of (i) said valve means in the discharge conduit for controlling the flow of coal from said discharge conduit; (ii) said elevating conveyor; (iii) said main conveyor; and (iiii) the means for feeding coal from the dicharge end of said elevating conveyor means to said feed hoppers, in the order stated.

11. In a coke oven battery in combination,

(a) a row of feed hoppers positioned above the roof of the battery with the row extending across the width of the battery and the feed hoppers arranged to supply to the hoppers of the charging larry travelling on the roof of the battery, the number of said feed hoppers in said row being equal to the number of hoppers in said larry with the respective hoppers of the row individual to the respective hoppers of the larry for feeding coal thereto when the larry is positioned beneath the said row of feed hoppers; and

(b) means for supplying coal to said feed hoppers,

said means comprising:

(1) a plurality of rows of storage hoppers arranged in side by side relation, each storage hopper having at the lower portion thereof a discharge conduit individual thereto;

(2) a main conveyor positioned to receive coal discharged from the discharge conduits;

(3) means for controlling the feed of coal from said discharge conduits onto said main conveyor;

(4) elevating conveyor means positioned at the discharge end of said main conveyor and arranged to receive the coal discharged by said main conveyor and elevate said coal to a level above the tops of said row of feed hoppers above the roof of the battery; and

(5) means at the discharge end of said elevating conveyor means for distributing the coal discharged from said elevating conveyor means to said feed hoppers.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,422,997 7/22 McGregor 21418 1,882,440 10/32 Naylor 2l417 X 3,057,488 10/62 Atkinson 21417 HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A COKE OVEN BATTERY IN COMBINATION, (A) A ROW OF FEED HOPPERS POSITIONED ABOVE THE ROOF OF THE BATTERY WITH THE ROW EXTENDING ACROSS THE WIDTH OF THE BATTERY AND THE FEED HOPPERS ARRANGED TO SUPPLY COAL TO THE HOPPERS OF THE CHARGING LARRY TRAVELLING ON THE ROOF OF THE BATTERY, THE NUMBER OF SAID FEED HOPPERS IN SAID ROW BEING EQUAL TO THE NUMBER OF HOPPERS IN SAID LARRY WITH THE RESPECTIVE HOPPERS OF THE ROW INDIVIDUAL TO THE RESPECTIVE HOPPERS OF THE LARRY FOR FEEDING COAL THERETO WHEN THE LARRY IS POSITIONED BENEATH THE SAID ROW OF FEED HOPPERS; AND (B) MEANS FOR SUPPLYING COAL TO SAID FEED HOPPERS, SAID MEANS COMPRISING: (1) A PLURALITY OF ROWS OF STORAGE HOPPERS ARRANGED IN SIDE BY SIDE RELATION, EACH STORAGE HOPPER HAVING AT THE LOWER PORTION THEREOF A PLURALITY OF DISCHARGE PORTS AND A DISCHARGE CONDUIT INDIVIDUAL THERETO, INTO WHICH THE PLURALITY OF DISCHARGE PORTS OF THE HOPPER DISCHARGES; (2) A MAIN CONVEYOR POSITIONED TO RECEIVE COAL DISCHARGED FROM THE DISCHARGE CONDUITS; (3) MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE FEED OF COAL FROM SAID DISCHARGE CONDUITS SO THAT THE COAL IS DISCHARGED SUCCESSIVELY THROUGH THE RESPECTIVE DISCHARGE CONDUITS OF SAID STORAGE HOPPERS ONTO SAID MAIN CONVEYOR; (4) ELEVATING CONVEYOR MEANS POSITIONED AT THE DISCHARGE END OF SAID MAIN CONVEYOR AND ARRANGED TO RECEIVE THE COAL DISCHARGED BY SAID MAIN CONVEYOR AND ELEVATE SAID COAL TO A LEVEL ABOVE THE TOPS OF SAID ROW OF FEED HOPPERS ABOVE THE ROOF OF THE BATTERY; AND (5) MEANS AT THE DISCHARGE END OF SAID ELEVATING CONVEYOR MEANS FOR DISTRIBUTING THE COAL DISCHARGED FROM SAID ELEVATING CONVEYOR MEANS IN SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM AMOUNTS TO EACH OF SAID FEED HOPPERS. 